Container means having pull-off wall means



.Nov. 21, 1967 J, SCHAY 3,353,739

CONTAINER MEANS HAVING PULL-OFF WALL MEANS Filed March 10, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 '29 4 V 47 MW INVENTOR. FRANK J 'SCHAY ay yaw HIS ATTORNEYS N v. 21, 1967 J, SCHAY 3,353,739

CONTAINER MEANS HAVING PULLf'OFF .WALL MEANS Filed March lO, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTOR. FRANK J. SCHAY H IS ATTORNEYS United States Patent CONTAINER MEANS HAVING PULL-OFF WALL MEANS Frank J. Schay, Richmond, Va., assignor to Reynolds ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOS This disclosure relates to containers and a method of making such containers having wall means defining a compartment provided with comparatively large area access means and having pull-off wall means adapted to provide a closure for such access means, where in such pull-off wall means has its outer periphery fastened to surface means defining such access means at an infinite number of independent fastening positions thereabout and such pull-off wall means has integral partially severable strip means a' portion of which remains attached to such pull-off wall means and is used to apply an effective pulling force to pull such pull-off wall means free in a progressive manner at each of such independent fastening positions. i

This invention relates to container means and more particularly to substantially enclosed containers having comparatively large area access means, to an improved method of making such enclosed containers, and to pulloff wall means providing a closure for such access means.

Many containers such as cylindrical cans of the type used to contain frozen concentrated fruit juice, for example, require that a comparatively large opening be provided therein in order to remove the frozen contents. Presently such cans are generally opened using a separate conventional can opener to cut away an end wall and thus enable the frozen contents to be easily removed from the can. The presently used technique for removing such frozen juice from cans presents the user with many undesirable problems including, the need to have a separate can opener, excessive time is usually required to locate such can opener and open a given can, and having once opened such can it is generally necessary to handle a severed metal can lid having sharp edges which may be dangerous. In addition, many present cans have cylindrical side walls made of a composite material and metallic end closures. In using a separate can opener to open such a can there is a tendency for the can opener to dig into the composite side wall which makes it more difiicult to open such can.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide enclosed container means having improved easily opened integral opening means which defines a comparatively large area access opening therefor and which is of simple and economical construction.

Another feature of this invention is to provide simple pull-off wall means defining a closure for large area access means for enclosed container means wherein such wall means is held fastened in position at an infinite number of fastening positions about its outer periphery to thus provide an optimum seal and such pull-off wall means is pulled off by progressive unfastening thereof at each of such independent fastening positions.

Another feature of this invention is to provide such pull-off wall means having integral fastening means for holding such pull-off wall means fastened in position at such infinite number of fastening positions.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved can having a cylindrical side wall made of a ice.

composite material and having pull-off wall means with integral fastening means of the character mentioned comprising an end closure for such can.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an im proved method of making enclosed container means having pull-off wall means for defining a comparatively large area access opening therefor.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved easily formed blank for making such easily removed pull-otf wall means for enclosed container means, or the like.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved enclosed container means having easily removed pull-off wall means defining a comparatively large area access opening therefor and an improved method of making such container means having one or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide such easily removed pull-off wall means and improved blanks for making same.

. Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with 1eference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating an improved exemplary enclosed container means or can of this invention having pull-off wall means shown as its top wall.

FIGURE 2 is a View looking normal to such top wall.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 33 of FIGURE 2. FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner of partially severing an integral strip means or strip provided in the top wall of the can of FIGURE 1 and the manner of using such strip to apply a pulling force adjacent the outer periphery of such top wall to enable pulling such top wall free from its adjoining cylindrical wall.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIGURE 4 and illustrating a later step just prior to pulling such top wall free from its adjoining cylindrical wall.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view, similar to FIGURE 2, illustrating another embodiment of the improved pull-off wall means of this invention having score means in its integral chime end means and being adapted to be used as a top wall on the cylindrical can illustrated in FIG- URE 1 of the drawings.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIGURE 4 of the drawings and illustrating an elongated strip means provided in the top wall of FIGURE 6 being severed from the center portion of such top wall to its outer periphery and the manner of severing across its integral chime end means.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIGURE 7 and viewing the can and chime end means of FIGURE 7 from a position substantially degrees from the position illustrated in FIGURE 7 to show the completely severed chime end means.

FIGURE 9 is a plan view, similar to FIGURE 6, illustrating another embodiment of improved pull-off wall means of this invention also adapted to be used as a top wall on the can of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIGURE 8 of the drawings showing the manner of removing the top wall of FIGURE 9 from an adjoining cylindrical can.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly adaptable for providing an improved enclosed container 3 means or can, such as a composite can particularly adapted for containing concentrated frozen fruit u ce, and having an easily removed pull-off wall means WhlCh defines a comparatively large area access opening therefor, and to an improved method of making such container means, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide such enclosed container means having such wide area easily removed pull-off wall means for other uses as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, an improved container means or can is shown having first wall means shown as a tubular side wall 21 which in this example of the invention is of substantially right circular cylindrical configuration and having a bottom wall 22 and pull-off wall means shown as top wall 24.

Cylindrical side wall 21 may be made of any suitable material; however, in this example of the invention such side wall is made of a composite material of known construction and preferably comprised of helically wound overlapping layer means of paper together with moisture impervious sheet means such as metallic foil, plastic sheet means, or the like. Cylindrical side wall 21 defines a compartment therewithin and also comprises an exterior wall of can 20 and such side wall has first peripheral surface means shown as its top end means which is adapted to have pull-off top wall 24 fastened thereagainst in a continuous manner and essentially at an infinite number of independent fastening positions to provide a sealed closure for can 20 as will be described in detail subsequently.

Top wall 24 has second peripheral surface means or a peripheral substantially transverse surface of flange means designated generally by the numeral 26 which in this example of the invention is substantially cylindrical. Transverse cylindrical flange 26 is adapted to be inserted within the top portion of cylindrical side wall 21 so that its outside surface portion engages the inside surface portion of top end means 25, as seen in FIGURE 3, and top wall 24 is fastened in position by fastening flange 26 against end surface means or portion 25. The fastening means for fastening flange 26 against end means 25 in this example of the invention is provided as an integral part of top wall 24.

The integral fastening means for fastening top wall 24 in position comprises a substantially L-shaped flange means having a single thickness base leg portion designated by the numeral 27 and integrally fastened to the top terminal edge of transverse flange 26. The adjoining other leg 28 of the L-shaped flange means has a double thickness in this example and extends substantially parallel to transverse flange 26 so that transverse flange 26 and the integral L-shaped flange means having leg portions 27 and 28 form a substantially U-shaped peripheral flange or chime end means 29 for can 20 upon fastening top Wall 24 to side wall 21. As seen in FIGURE 3 chime end 29 is, in effect, a false chime end and is provided as an integral part of top wall 24.

Pull-off wall 24 is fastened to cylindrical side wall 21 by inserting the top portion 25 of wall 21 Within the parallel legs of inverted U-shaped chime end 29 and then mechanically swaging therearound to provide a fastening action about the entire periphery of the chime end 29. This swaging holds adjoining surface means 25 and 26 in what amounts to an infinite number of fastening positions inasmuch as the swaging is provided therearound in a continuous manner. This fastening technique is particularly effective especially with composite side wall 21 in that it radially compresses top portion 25 thereof about its entire periphery to a comparatively narrow dimension as shown at 23 and provides a tight continuous seal which is especially important in packaging food products such as frozen concentrated fruit juices, for example.

In order to pull top wall 24 away from the top end of cylindrical side wall 21 it is necessary to free such top wall about its entire periphery because it is fastened at what amounts to an infinite number of fastening positions as previously explained. Obviously, this provision of con.- tinuously fastened surface means assures an optimum seal which cannot be inadvertently broken.

Top wall 24 has strip means shown ,as a strip 30 which is provided therein as an integral part thereof. Strip 30 has a severable inner end portion designated by the numeral 31 and an attached outer end portion designated by the numeral 32 which remains attached to top wall 24 adjacent its peripheral transverse flange 26 upon severing strip 30.

Top wall 24 has pull means shown as a pull ring 34 which is attached to inner end portion 31 of strip 30. Pull ring 34 has inner end means shown as an inner end 35 which is fastened in any suitable manner such as by rivet means or a rivet 36 to inner portion 31 of strip 30. Pull ring 34 also has a finger receiving opening 40 which enables easy grasping thereof and severing of strip 30 once pull ring 34 has been fastened to strip 30 by rivet 36.

As seen in FIGURES 35 of the drawings, can 20 is simply and easily opened by grasping pull ring 34 and severing the inner end portion 31 of strip 30 from the center portion of top wall 24 toward the outer periphery thereof. The outer portion 32 of strip 30 remains attached to top wall 24 and such attached outer portion enables strip 30 to be used to apply a concentrated pulling force the effect of which is to first pull a portion of top wall 24 free adjacent the initial position of attached outer portion 32 as shown at 42 and with continued application of such pulling force against strip 30 pull-off top wall 24 is pulled free in a progressive manner about its entire periphery.

Top wall 24 of this example has a substantially planar surface 43 defining its central portion and peripheral transverse flange 26 is formed as an integral part thereof and extends upwardly from terminal edge means of planar surface 43. Strip 30 is provided so that it extends in a substantially radial manner approximately from the center portion of planar surface 43 and hence of top wall 24 toward peripheral transverse flange 26.

Upon severing strip 30 a corresponding opening 45 is defined in top wall 24 which extends completely through such top wall. Opening 45 reduces the structurad rigidity of top wall 24 and enables a more effective application of pulling force substantially normal to top wall 24, as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, to enable freeing such top Wall in a comparatively simple manner.

Strip 30 of this example of the invention is defined by a substantially U-shaped score means shown as U-shaped score line 46 in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. Score line 46 of this example has a pair of outwardly extending approximately parallel legs designated by the numerals 48 and 49 which are arranged substantially transverse to peripheral transverse flange 26 and in this example of the invention legs 48 and 49 are each arranged substantially perpendicular to flange 26. Strip 30 is severed along its U-shaped score line 46 upon grasping and pulling pull ring 34 and as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawings, attached strip portion 32 remains attached between the terminal ends of legs 48 and 49.

Score line 46 is described above as being substantially U-shaped and having a pair of approximately parallel legs 48 and 49. However, it wil be appreciated that in some applications of this invention legs 48 and 49 may be arranged so that they slightly converge toward the outer periphery of top wall 24 or such legs may Widely diverge toward the outer periphery of the top Wall 24, as desired.

As seen in FIGURE 3 and as previously explained, top wall 24 of this example is suitably fastened in position by an integral substantially U-shaped flange which defines chime end 29 and such U-shaped flange is comprised of integral transverse flange portion 26 and the integral substantially L-shaped flange having leg portions 27 and 23. It will be appreciated, however, that top wall 24 may be suitably fastened in position along top edge means of cylindrical side wall 21 without the provision of such an integral U-shaped chime end 29.

For example, it may be desirable in some applications of this invention to provide a top wall having planar surface 43 and with only integral transverse flange 26 extending therearound. Suitable adhesive means may be used, for example, to fasten portion 25 and flange 26 together at an infinite number of fastening positions there- -along in a similar manner as previously explained.

Top surface means or end portion 25 of cylindrical side wall 21 has U-shaped chime end 29 clamped thereabout so that end portion 25 is compressed therebetween as shown at 23. Suitable antifriction means 47 may be provided between leg portion 28 of the L-shaped fastening flange means and the outer surface of surface means 25 to enable easier freeing of top wall 24. Any suitable antifriction means may be used such as a suitable wax, resin, or the like.

The use of antifriction wax 47 is not detrimental to the provision of an effective seal between top Wall 24 and side wall 21. However, upon applying a force substantially parallel to the surface defined by wall 47, i.e. perpendicular to top wall 24, such wax makes it easier to pull top wall 24 free from its adjoining cylindrical side wall 21 by acting as a surface lubricant reducing the amount of adhesion otherwise normally present under compression.

Rivet 36 in this example of the invention is shown in FIGURE 3 as being provided as an integral rivet provided as an integral part of strip 30. A por tion of metal comprising strip 33 is extruded upwardly in a known manner to define a rivet-like projection. Pull ring 34 has an associated opening 51 in its inner end portion which is placed in surrounding relation about the extruded rivet-like projection and the top portion of such projection is riveted in position to define a rivet head and thereby completely define rivet 36 and firmly fasten pull ring 34 in position.

Although rivet 36 of this example is illustrated as an integral rivet it will be appreciated that a separate rivet may be used to fasten pull ring 34 in position. Similarly, a pull ring or other suitable pull device may be fastened to pull strip in any known manner as by Welding, adhesive fastening, or the like.

Pull ring 34 has a comparatively small height as compared to the vertical height shown at 53 of the chime end 29 above planar surface 43. This enables pull ring 34 to be fastened in nested relation against planar surface 43 of top wall 24 which is, of course, beneath the outer edge of chime end 29. This arrangement assures that pull ring '34 is kept in a protected position until such time as it is required to open top wall 24.

The use of partially severable elongated strip 30 which has an integrally attached end portion, as shown, and an easily grasped pull device 34 fastened thereon enables the application of a concentrated pulling force adjacent the outer periphery of top Wall 24 Which is immediately adjacent the area of attachment of suchtop wall and thus once grasped pull ring 34 to progresisvely pull top wall 24 free about its entire outer periphery it is not necessary to handle such top wall in any manner except to drop it into a refuse receptacle, or the like.

The improved can of this invention and particularly its pull-off wall 24 is constructed so that sharp edges likely to cause injury are avoided. For example, leg portion 28 has a folded adjoining leg portion 54 which is folded inwardly and provides safe rounded corners. Pull ring 34 also has its finger receiving opening 4%) defined by smooth rounded surfaces. Thus, it is seen that sharp edges are avoided and the improved pull-off top wall 24 can be pulled free without requiring a separate can opener or other opening device. Further, the opening means for can 20 is integral with can 29 and merely requires that such can be grasped with one hand and top wall 24 pulled away with the other hand and discarded in one simple motion.

In using can 20 as a container for frozen concentrated juice, or the like, it will be seen that the access opening provided is of maximum area. In effect, such access opening is defined by the entire inside diameter of cylindrical side wall 21 and thereby enables quick removal of such frozen juice.

By providing chime end 29 integrally with top wall 24 the entire cylindrical side wall 21 of can 20 may be completely decorated or provided with suitable identification, as desired. Also, the construction of top wall 24 enables it to be easily fastened in position as by mechanical swaging, adhesive fastening, or the like, without likelihood of damage or injury to the decoration or identification provided on t-he outside surface of cylindrical wall 21.

Another exemplary embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGURES 68 of the drawings wherein a fragmentary portion of a substantially right circular cylindrical can is shown which is practically identical to can 20; therefore, such can will be designated by the designation 20A and parts of can 20A which are identical to corresponding parts of can 20 will be designated by the same numeral as previously also followed by the letter designation A and not described again in detail. Only those parts of can 20A which are different from corresponding parts of can 20 will be designated by a new numeral also followed by the letter designation A and described in detail. The only difference between can 20A and can 20 is in additional score means provided in top wall 24A of can 20A a full explanation of which will now be made.

As seen particularly in FIGURE 6 of the drawings, leg portion 49A of U-shaped score means 46A extends across top wall 24A and has a score portion 55A which continues across chime end 29A. Score portion 55A extends upwardly along transverse flange portion 26A and along leg portions 27A, 28A, and 54A of the L-shaped flange means so as to extend completely across chime end 29A.

As seen in FIGURES 7 and 8 of the drawings, upon severing strip 30A continued score means 55A enables chime end 22A to be completely severed along score means 55A while strip 30A remains attached to top wall provides the most effective unfastening force against top wall 24. Also, by using strip 30 it is possible to sever a portion of such strip and then direct the pulling force substantially normal to the direction in which the clamping action provided by U-shaped chime end 29 is taking place.

The application of such normal pulling force pulls top wall 24 free first at an initial position 42 immediately adjacent the attached position of outer end 32 of pull strip 30 and subsequently with continued application of such pulling force the entire top Wall 24 is pulled free above its entire outer periphery as seen in FIGURE 5 and as previously mentioned. It will be seen that having 24A. The severed chime end is illustrated more particularly at 56A in FIGURE 8 and enables top wall 24A to be more easily removed by progressive freeing thereof about its entire periphery at each of the previously described infinite fastening positions by what amounts to a peeling action.

It will be appreciated that in removing top wall 24A of can 20A a concentrated pulling force is initially applied at a position adjoining the initial position of attached end 32A of strip 30A to unfasten the adjoining portion of chime end 29A. The remainder of chime end 29A is pulled free in an easier manner by the previously mentioned peeling action which progressively concentrates the unfastening force over a small area of fastened chime end immediately adjoining the unfastened portion until the entire top wall 24A is unfastened.

.Only those parts of can 20B which are different from corresponding parts of can 20A will be designated by a new numeral also followed by the letter designation B and described in detail. The main difference between can 20B and can 20A is in the provision of an additional rectilinear score means 613 in top wall 24B of can 20B.

As seen in FIGURE 9, substantially U-shaped score line 46B is provided in top wall 24B with its base portion near the center of top wall 24B and so that its parallel legs 48B and 49B extend substantially radially outwardly from the center portion of top wall 24B and on opposite sides of a central axis 608 extending across such center portion. In this example of the invention, axis 60B extends diametrically across circular top wall 24B and, in effect, bisects such top wall.

Top wall 24B also has the previously mentioned rectilinear score means or score line 6113 which commences from a point 62B spaced inwardly from the center of top Wall 24B and extends substantially along axis 60B in a diametrically opposite direction from parallel legs 48B and 49B. Rectilinear score line 61B enable a more effective concentrated pulling force at a position substantially diametrically opposite severed chime end 568 after unfastening of half of top wall 24B by the peeling action previously described in connection with top wall 24A of can 20A. Thus, it is seen that in this latter embodiment the use of additional rectilinear score line 61B enables an even faster unfastening of top wall 24B from its adjoining sidewall 21B.

The pull-off end closure or top wall comprising the various embodiments of cans illustrated in this disclosure of the invention is preferably made of metal containing aluminum, or the like, which is easy to score and sever yet has high structural strength. Aluminum sheet stocks having thicknesses generally of the order of .008 inch and .015 inch have been used successfully in forming improved pull-off top walls of the character described above. However, it Will be appreciated that such top wall may be made of any suitable material which may be suitably scored to define a partially severable strip portion.

As previously mentioned, can 20 of this example of the invention may have suitable antifriction means 47 provided between upwardly extending portion 54 of leg portion 28 and end portion 25 of side wall 21. In some applications of this invention such antifriction means may be completely eliminated, as desired, without detrimental effect.

Nevertheless, with or without antifriction means the novel features of this invention make possible the provision of improved container means having pull-off top wall means 24 which is firmly fastened in position at an infinite number of independent fastening positions and which is easily pulled off employing a peeling type of action. Yet, sufficiently deep countersink means is provided in top wall 24 that a comparatively large surface is grasped upon clamping chime end 29 of top wall 24 about end portion 25 of side wall 21, see FIGURE 3.

The above mentioned firm fastening assures that during shipment of the improved cans of this invention any chime ride between adjoining cans during shipment and handling thereof will not cause top wall 24 to pull away from its associated cylindrical side wall 21. The amount of countersink, i.e. the amount of end portion 25 which is clamped, provided in any given size can will vary with each particular application and is controlled to provide the improved features of this invention while avoiding other problems such as chime ride problems and the like.

Terms such as bottom, bottom wall, top, top wall, upwardly, inwardly, outwardly, and the like, have been used in this disclosure .of the invention merely to correspond to the arrangement of components as illustrated in the drawings and such terms should not be considered as limiting the scope of this invention in any 'l hus, it is seen that this invention provides an improved container means which has easily removed pull-off wall means which provides a large area access opening therein safely and without requiring separate opening devices.

Further, this invention provides an improved method of making such improved container means.

This invention also provides an improved easily removed pull-off wall means having integral fastening means and particularly adapted for use as an end closure for cylindrical container means, or the like, as well as an improved blank for making such improved pull-off wall means.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by statute, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claimed subject matter which follows.

What is claimed is:

1. Container means comprising, first wall means defining a compartment and having first peripheral surface means defining large area access means therefor, pull-off wall means having second peripheral surface means corresponding in peripheral outline to said first peripheral surface means and having strip means comprising an integral part thereof, said strip means having a severable inner portion adapted to have pull means fastened thereto and an attached outer portion which remains attached to said pull-off wall means adjacent said second peripheral surface means upon severing said strip means, fastening means for fastening said wall means together by fastening said surface means together at an infinite number of independent fastening positions therealong, wherein said attached outer portion enables said strip means to be used to apply a concentrated pulling force the effect of which is to first pull a portion of said pull-off wall means free adjacent the initial position of said attached outer portion and with continued application of said pulling force said pull-off wall means is pulled free in a progressive manner at each of said fastening positions, and pull means having inner end means fixed to said inner portion to enable easier severing of said strip means, said strip means being defined by substantially U-shaped score means arranged in said pull-off wall means with its outwardly extending legs substantially transverse to said second peripheral surface means and the strip portion between the terminal ends of said outwardly extending legs defining said attached outer portion.

2. Container means as set forth in claim 1 in which, said first wall means comprises a substantially tubular wall having end means defining said first peripheral surface means, said pull-oif wall means comprises an end closure having a substantially planar surface and having a peripheral transverse flange defining said second peripheral surface means, said fastening means comprises a substantially L-shaped flange having its base leg portion fastened to the terminal edge of said transverse flange and its other leg extending substantially parallel to said transverse flange, said transverse flange and L-shaped flange cooperating to define a substantially U-shaped chime end, and said end closure is fastened to said tubular wall means by inserting said end means between said U-shaped chime end and mechanically swaging there-around to provide a fastening action at said infinite number of fastening positions.

3. Container means as set forth in claim 2 in which said planar surface is arranged inwardly of said chime end and said pull means is nested substantially against said end.

comprising antifriction means between said other leg of said L-shaped flange and said tubular wall means to enable easier pulling of said end closure free from said adjoining tubular wall means at said infinite number of independent fastening positions.

5. Container means as set forth in claim 2 in which one leg of said U-shaped score means extends across said substantially U-shaped chime end and upon severing said strip means said one leg enables complete severing of said chime end while said strip means remains attached to said end closure and enables easier progressive freeing of said end closure at each of said fastening positions by a peeling action.

6. Container means as set forth in claim 5 in which said U-shaped score means is provided in said end closure with its base portion near the center thereof and its outwardly extending legs extending from said center and being arranged on opposite sides of an axis extending across the central portion of said end closure, and further comprising rectilinear score means commencing from a point spaced inwardly from said center and extending substantially along said axis in a diametrically opposite direction from said outwardly extending legs, said rectilinear score means enabling a more effective concentrated pulling force at a position substantially diametrically opposite the severed chime end after removal of half of said end closure by said peeling action.

7. Pull-off wall means for container means having first peripheral surface means defining large area access means therefor, said pull-off wall means comprising, second peripheral surface means corresponding in peripheral outline to said first peripheral surface means and adapted to be fastened thereto at an infinite number of independent fastening positions therealong and strip means formed as an integral part of said pull-off wall means, said strip means having a severable inner portion adapted to have pull means fastened thereto and an attached outer portion which remains attached to said pull-off wall means adjacent said second peripheral surface means upon severing said strip means, wherein said attached outer portion enables said strip means to be used to apply a concentrated pulling force the effect of which is to first pull a portion of said pull-off wall means free from said first peripheral surface means adjacent the initial position of said outer portion and with continued application of said pulling force said pull-off wall means is pulled free in a progresive manner at each of said fastening positions, and pull means having inner end means fixed to said inner portion to enable easier severing of said strip means, said strip means being defined by substantially U-shaped score means arranged in said pull-off wall means with its outwardly extending legs substantially transverse to said second peripheral surface means and the strip portion between the terminal ends of said outwardly extending legs defining said attached outer portion.

4. Container means as set forth in claim 2 further 8. Pull-off wall means as set forth in claim 7 adapted to be used as an end closure for said container means and having a substantially planar surface with a peripheral transverse flange defining said second peripheral surface means and said end closure is fastened to said first peripheral surface means by placing said transverse flange in position thereagainst and fastening said transverse flange at said infinite number of fastening positions.

9. Pull-off wall means as set forth in claim 7 adapted to be used as an end closure for said container means and having a substantially planar central surface and an integral substantially U-shaped flange means extending about the outer periphery thereof defining a chime end for said container means, said U-shaped flange means having a portion thereof defining said second peripheral surface means and the remainder thereof defining integral fastening means for fastening said end closure in position against said first peripheral surface means at said infinite number of fastening positions.

10. Pull-off wall means as set forth in claim 9 in which said planar surface is arranged inwardly of said chime end and said pull means is nested substantially against said planar surface inwardly of the outer edge of said chime end.

11. Pull-off wall means as set forth in claim 10 in which one leg of said U-shaped score means extends across said substantially U-shaped flange means defining said chime end and upon severing said strip means said one leg enables complete severing of said chime end while said strip means remains attached to said end closure and enables easier progressive freeing of said end closure at each of said fastening positions by a peeling action.

12. :Pull-oif wall means as set forth in claim 11 in which said U-shaped score means is provided in said end closure with its base portion near the center thereof and its outwardly extending legs extending from said center and being arranged on opposite sides of an axis extending across the central portion of said end closure, and further comprising rectilinear score means commencing from a point spaced inwardly from said center and extending substantially along said axis in a diametrically opposite direction from said outwardly extending legs, said rectilinear score means enabling a more effective concentrated pulling force at a position substantially diametrically opposite the servered chime end after removal of half of said end closure by said peeling action.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,130,056 4/1964 Taylor et a1.

. 3,276,613 10/1966 Bozek 21546 3,286,875 11/1966 Frankenberg 220-54 3,314,565 4/1967 Wheaton et al 21546 3,322,296 5/1967 Khoury 22054 DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner.

Notice of Adverse Decision In Interference In Interference No. 97,003 involving Patent No. 3,353,739, F. J. Schay, CONTAINER MEANS HAVING PIJ'LLOFF WALL MEANS, final judgment adverse to the patentee was rendered Nov. 29, 1971, as to claims 1, 7 and 8.

[Oyfiaial Gazette May 30, 1972.] 

1. CONTAINER MEANS COMPRISING, FIRST WALL MEANS DEFINING A COMPARTMENT AND HAVING FIRST PERIPHERAL SURFACE MEANS DEFINING LARGE AREA ACCESS MEANS THEREFOR, PULL-OFF WALL MEANS HAVING SECOND PERIPHERAL SURFACE MEANS CORRESPONDING IN PERIPHERAL OUTLINE TO SAID FIRST PERIPHERAL SURFACE MEANS AND HAVING STRIP MEANS COMPRISING AN INTEGRAL PART THEREOF, SAID STRIP MEANS HAVING A SEVERABLE INNER PORTION ADAPTED TO HAVE PULL MEANS FASTENED THERETO AND AN ATTACHED OUTER PORTION WHICH REMAINS ATTACHED TO SAID PULL-OFF WALL MEANS ADJACENT SAID SECOND PERIPHERAL SURFACE MEANS UPON SEVERING SAID STRIP MEANS, FASTENING MEANS FOR FASTENING SAID WALL MEANS TOGETHER BY FASTENING SAID SURFACE MEANS TOGETHER AT AN INFINITE NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT FASTENING POSITIONS THEREALONG, WHEREIN SAID ATTACHED OUTER PORTION ENABLES SAID STRIP MEANS TO BE USED TO APPLY A CONCENTRATED PULLING FORCE THE EFFECT OF WHICH IS TO FIRST PULL A POSITION OF SAID PULL-OFF WALL MEANS FREE ADJACENT THE INITIAL POSITION OF SAID ATTACHED OUTER PORTION AND WITH CONTINUED APPLICATION OF SAID PULLING FORCE SAID PULL-OFF WALL MEANS IS PULLED FREE IN A PROGRESSIVE MANNER AT EACH OF SAID FASTENING POSITIONS, AND PULL MEANS HAVING INNER END MEANS FIXED TO SAID INNER PORTION TO ENABLE EASIER SEVERING OF SAID STRIP MEANS, SAID STRIP MEANS BEING DEFINED BY SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED SCORE MEANS ARRANGED IN SAID PULL-OFF WALL MEANS WITH ITS OUTWARDLY EXTENDING LEGS SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSE TO SAID SECOND PERIPHERAL SURFACE MEANS AND THE STRIP PORTION BETWEEN THE TERMINAL END OF SAID OUTWARDLY EXTENDING LEGS DEFINING SAID ATTACHED OUTER PORTION. 